Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  07/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Today I was contacted by a front desk person. I was told I was no longer allowed in the gym because a female complained I stared at her and made her feel uncomfortable. I was told it was confidential and the owner said it was final. I was also told that there had been "multiple complaints", but no one could tell me when, where or by who and everything was confidential. I have been there for over a year and have never been accused of anything like that before. I asked for someone to review a security camera and look into the accusations, and I was told no that there was no time for anything like that and the accusation by multiple people was enough. I was threatened with being trespassed before earlier in the year when I asked an employee if they wanted to work for the company, I manage. The owner called me and threatened me and his wife who manages the place during the day cursed me over the phone during the conversation. I was allowed to return under the condition that I would not ask anyone to work at my company however I did ask someone again a few days ago and I believe this is retaliation for that. They will not tell me when I was supposed to have "stared at someone" they will not provide me with any information except someone accused me of staring at them and I'm confident that staring is not against the law, but I assure you that I have not said anything to anyone or done anything that is out of character to deserve this treatment. A cancellation document was sent to me, and my signature was FORGED on it stating I agreed to a cancellation which I have not signed.

  Business response

  08/02/2023

  To whom it may concern,
  
  We appreciate your attention to this matter involving a former member of our gym. We would like to clarify the situation and outline the steps we have taken to ensure the safety and comfort of all our members and staff.
  
  We received numerous complaints from multiple parties about the individual in question. They reported feeling uncomfortable due to the individual’s recurring behavior, which included prolonged, direct staring and unsolicited approaches during their workouts. Due to confidentiality, we are unable to share names, but we can confirm we have witness statements in writing. This discomfort was reported by both members and staff, which lead to an investigation.
  
  Our investigation showed a pattern of behavior that was making our gym members and staff feel uneasy and uncomfortable. In our establishment, maintaining a respectful and safe environment for all our members and staff is our highest priority. It was on these grounds, considering the repeated discomfort caused to others, that we decided to terminate this individual’s membership.
  
  In regards to the accusation of forgery, we would like to clarify that we did not forge any signature. In this case, we have applied a common business procedure known as “Signature on File” or SOF. This process is used when a customer has previously provided their signature for documents related to terms of service, and it is applied for administrative actions like termination of membership. However, we acknowledge the importance of this concern, and this is the policy which was used.
  
  We were also made aware that the individual was approaching our staff during their working hours to recruit them for his own business. Notably, only female staff members were approached with these offers. This behavior is in clear violation of our gym rules which prohibit unsolicited recruitment or business transactions within our premises. This rule is in place to maintain a professional, non-disruptive environment for our staff and members.
  
  We take all concerns and complaints about our service very seriously, and we strive to handle each situation with utmost care and responsibility. In light of the repeated complaints and rule violations, we felt it necessary to terminate the individual’s membership to ensure a comfortable and secure environment for our members and staff.
  
  Thank you for your attention to this matter.
  
  Duane ***** * *****
  Workout Anytime Seymour

  Customer response

  08/03/2023

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I did not stare at anyone member or employee for any prolonged period of anything if you use the squat rack in front of a bench press you will make eye contact with people and you will stare at them. Unsolicited comments or whatever that means I did in fact approach a young lady one time and one time only because she was using the machine directly beside me so wrong it may’ve hurt her and I did absolutely ask permission to speak her and it was consented too. The written statements can be written by anyone for anything people can be coached and told what to say and write any written statement outside of sworn testimony is pure speculation, opinionated and without the accused person’s “written statement” to contradict any accusations the statement are prejudicial and inflammatory. As far as recruiting their female only employees well that’s all that works there except for two males who wouldn’t look good in cabana girl uniforms I don’t know though may I did offend the males by not asking. I’m in the hospitality business so it makes sense to me to ask a female to be a server, hostess or bartender. Some of those young ladies did work for the company when I offered so it must’ve not been to uncomfortable. The business response on the forgery of my signature makes sense and I can accept that. Making me seem like a predator or sex offender is a different situation. I work with numerous females on a daily basis and I’ve never had one complaint about being inappropriate, staring or upsetting their comfort. The next issue that hadn’t been addressed is why the “owners” called me and cursed me, made threats to do the very thing that was done. This will go back and forth and they’ll say they want to protect the other members which is ok but it all boils down to I hurt their feelings over asking some of the girls if they wanted jobs and when they called me cursed and threatened me I told them the conversation was being recorded which changed the situation drastically and in the conversation they later admitted that there were no rules about speaking to employees about other job opportunities. I’m sure the rules have been revised since that alleged recorded conversation. Again, I reject the response however, I’m no longer interested in pursuing a resolution. I left peacefully and won’t be back which I’m sure is agreeable to everyone involved. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  Brent ***

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